Scandals of Yore

Scandals come and go in American politics faster than new big network sitcoms in September. Whereas network sitcoms stink, American political scandals are both intriguing and maddening. Now that Congress is back from recess and the Supreme Court will soon be starting up a new term, I've been reflecting on some salacious scandalous scumbags from earlier this year.

scan·dal  n.

1. A publicized incident that brings about disgrace or offends the moral sensibilities of society: a drug scandal that forced the mayor's resignation.
2. A person, thing, or circumstance that causes or ought to cause disgrace or outrage: a politician whose dishonesty is a scandal; considered the housing shortage a scandal.
3. Damage to reputation or character caused by public disclosure of immoral or grossly improper behavior; disgrace.
4. Talk that is damaging to one's character; malicious gossip.

Back in March and April of this year the left blogosphere was jumping for joy at the thought of Tom DeLay getting booted out of office on corruption charges. I even got in on the action. So much for that wish. Hot Tub Tom proved to be much tougher than we thought. I know that DeLay's campaign associates were indicted last week but I have a feeling that the only chance of removing him will be during the 2006 election. If the DNC wants to play hardball then they should do to DeLay what the RNC did to Daschle in 2004. A coordinated national effort to fund a challenger and destroy a party leader might prove to be fruitful. Or maybe that would just be wasting time on revenge. In the meantime, enjoy this video clip of DeLay drunk off his ass at his birthday in June 2005.

What about Jimmy Jeff Gannon Gueckert? A fake reporter gets fake press credentials to ask fake questions to a fake administration . . . and he and his "employers" get away with it? He played Fred Garvin with Scottie the Sucker MC who in turn gave him access to the White House. Why wasn't Gannon investigated? Could he be involved in the Plame leak? And what about that other media whore, Armstrong Williams? He got $250,000 of our tax dollars to pimp No Child Left Behind and all I got was a lame Fox News show imitation.

That brings me to our final scandal generator of 2005, Puppet-master Rove, an odd Texan combination of Josef Goebbels and Niccolo Machiavelli. Come on Fitzgerald, get cracking with those indictments! Like the old saying goes, power corrupts--and absolute power corrupts absolutely. So why do Republicans continue to grant Bush and his junta absolute power? I'll never understand it, especially from the party of limited government.

Get ready for an intriguing and maddening fall season of political scandal.

Comments

[Fred]

Nice, don't mind if I use this do ya? I always look forward to your post and stop in nearly every day. Hopefully I'll have some pictures of Cindy Sheehan stop here in Syracuse, if I can make it there later today.I'll try to get them up on my blog tonight if I can.

[An Angry Old Broad]

I keep wondering if there are legal measures that can be taken sooner.Removal.Now.This situation is not unlike leaving serial killers to run loose when it's obvious what they're up to.How bad does the stink of death have to get before people are gagging on it?

I'm not advocating doing anything"bad"to BushCo,but isn't there some way to swiftly and legally at least freeze their power or something whilst the proper charges are filed,juries picked and so on?There's more than enough proof by now that ALOT of corruption,CRIME and evil has been going on,and each day reveals still more,they have to be stopped,NOW.I feel a horrible sense of urgency here,it gnaws at me.

No way should bush be allowed to make ANY more key decisions,like SCOTUS appointments unless HE could prove he's worthy of that Public Trust,which we all know he can't do,even on a good day.

I'm frustrated Agi,I'm just a typical WASPy suburban housewife,I know nothing of law,or even have a full grasp of exactly how government works beyond the basics.The left just isn't standing up with any real and true leadership now,there's no one to rally forward with to really get some shit done.Conyers,Boxer,Pelosi and a few others have shown some real courage here,but they are not grabbing people hard enough nor are they demanding nearly enough.

We simply have GOT to find a handful of strong,sane,passionate and concerned LEADERS here,and I have no clue who's up to that much responsibility on the Left,that can also gain the support of those smart enough to be jumping the GOP ship now,finally(though I wish the exodus was louder and larger).

With the media in the pocket of the GOP,there simply HAS to be a grassroots,boots on the street effort to talk to people,citizen to citizen,even incorporating the basics of civics education(which has not been taught in schools for awhile now,or when it is,it's fluffy headed and spun)to explain how their government is NOT working for them under GOP leadership.I'm not above dragging out old Schoolhouse Rock videos if I have to,lol.

Those of us living in Red State Hell(for me that's metro suburban Atlanta)also have to consider our own personal safety when trying to be leaders and speaking out too,on a local and small level.As a woman,I feel especially vulnerable because there is overt agression coming from red staters around here ALL the time whenever they percieve any dissent or resistance at all.I've been harassed in the grocery store parking lot over a tshirt I wear frequently(it's a black and white photo of Geronimo and Friends,standing united and armed with rifles.The caption reads, Homeland Security:Fighting Terrorism Since 1492)and it's always the "same guy",white,mid thirties to 45 ish,in a pick up or SUV(with the mandatory car ornaments),and the only reason he noticed the shirt was because he was scoping out my chest.They get all puffed up and righteous and huffy,but never confront me directly.The idea is to intimidate me and make me feel scared.Doesn't work,but it does make me more aware of my own personal security.

I also live in a place where that good old Southern Racism is alive and well and acceptable,and an uppity woman like me could damn well find a cross burning in her front yard.Or find bullets whipping through my front door at 3 am.Or see my child threatened,and I am not being paranoid.

Ack.Sorry for the ramble,and my own blog is suffering from lack of attention.I'll blame it on the antihistimines and strong chamomile tea I've been gulping down for days now,lol.

[mandt]

"Scottie the Sucker MC who in turn gave him access to the White House. Why wasn't Gannon investigated? Could he be involved in the Plame leak? " You got that right. We've been on this stuff like flies over the year, but it hasn't raised much comment. Gannon was also leaked the Plame story early by Scotty Poo. We still want to know who Gannon was stupping in the White House overnights. Expiring minds want to know. M

[Agi T. Prop]

Maybe Gannon was stupping Bush. Haven't you noticed that Bush has a strange fondess for bald guys.